CHAPTER

9 Probability of
Combined Events

You will learn

► Combined Events
► Dependent Events and Independent Events
► Mutually Exclusive Events and Non-Mutually Exclusive Events
► Application of Probability of Combined Events

T he Malaysia National Football team had qualified for the

1972 Olympic Games in Munich. In 1974, the team won
the bronze medal in the Asian Games held in Tehran. The
success of the National team continued thereafter when it was
qualified consecutively for the Asian Cups in 1976 and 1980.
Malaysia won its first Suzuki Cup in 2010.

Do you know how a coach selects players to be defenders,

midfielders and strikers in a football team?

Why Study This Chapter?

Apart from sports, the knowledge of probability is applied in

the insurance industry to determine the amount of insurance
premium. The knowledge of probability is also used in the fields
of production and business, especially for risk management.

242
 Walking Through Time

Blaise Pascal
(1623 – 1662)
Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician.
He was also a physician, inventor and
WORD BANK writer. Blaise Pascal invented the theory of
probability together with Pierre de Fermat,
• tree diagram • gambar rajah pokok a French mathematician. The theory of
• probability • kebarangkalian probability is an important mathematical
• dependent event • peristiwa bersandar foundation for statistics.
• mutually exclusive • peristiwa saling
event eksklusif
• independent event • peristiwa tak
bersandar
• non-mutually • peristiwa tidak saling
exclusive event eksklusif
• sample space • ruang sampel http://bt.sasbadi.com/m4243

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.1 Combined Events

What are combined events? Learning

L
In our daily lives, we need to make a lot of decisions based on Standard
S
uncertainties. For example, choosing the science or the art stream Describe combined events
class or selecting what products to sell on the school entrepreneurship and list out the possible
combined events.
day. These decisions incur risks and we should be able to assess the
risks before making any decisions. Probability is used to evaluate the
uncertainties that are associated in the process of decision making.
The combined events are the combination of two or more events
in an outcome. For example, the possible outcomes for two pupils
playing “Rock-Paper-Scissors” are (Scissors, Rock), (Scissors, Paper),
(Scissors, Scissors), (Rock, Scissors), (Rock, Paper), (Rock, Rock),
(Paper, Scissors), (Paper, Rock) and (Paper, Paper). The combined
events can result from one or more experiments.

The outcomes of a combined

event can be represented by
ordered pairs.

Mind Stimulation 1

Aim: To list the possible outcomes of combined events

Material: Coins (10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen), an empty box

Steps:
1. Pupils sit in pairs. Each pair is given a box containing three
types of coins which are 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen coins. MY MEMORY
2. Each pupil in the pair chooses a coin from the box at random. A sample space is a
The values of the coins are recorded in the table below. set that contains all the
possible outcomes of
3. Return the coins to the box. an experiment.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for 25 times.
TIPS
9

(10, 20)
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(10, 20)

Coin Coin
chosen by chosen by
the first the second
pupil pupil

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

5. Write the sample space for the coin selection experiment for each pair of pupils.
S={ }

Discussion:
What is the possible number of outcomes in the activity?

From the activity in Mind Stimulation 1, it is found that:

The possible number of outcomes is 3 × 2 = 6.

In general,
n(S) = n(A) × n(B)

n(S) is all the possible number of outcomes, n(A) and n(B) represent the number of outcomes of
event A and event B.

1
Write the sample spaces for the combined events below.
(a) Five cards labelled with the letters “T, E, K, U, N” are put into a box. Two cards are taken out
at random from the box one by one without replacement.
(b) Two coins are tossed (T and H representing tails and heads respectively).

Solution:
(a) {(T, E), (T, K), (T, U), (T, N), (E, T), (E, K), (E, U), (E, N), (K, T), (K, E), (K, U), (K, N),
(U, T), (U, E), (U, K), (U, N), (N, T), (N, E), (N, K), (N, U)}
(b) {(T, T), (T, H), (H, T), (H, H)}

9.1a

Write the sample spaces for the combined events below.

1. Two books are chosen at random from a bookshelf that contains two history books (H),
a geography book (G) and a mathematics book (M).
9

2. The children’s gender for the family of two children.

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3. A fair dice is rolled and a fair coin is tossed simultaneously.

4. Azhar (A) and Kai Meng (K) play a maximum of five badminton matches. The player that wins
three sets is the winner.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.2 Dependent Events and Independent Events

How do you differentiate between dependent and

independent events? Learning
L
Combined events can be categorised as dependent events and Standard
S
independent events. Differentiate between
dependent and
Event A and event B are independent events if the occurrence of independent events.
event A has no effect on the occurrence of event B and vice versa.

In other words, event A and event B are dependent events if the occurrence of event A affects the
occurrence of event B.

Mind Stimulation 2

Aim: To differentiate dependent events and independent events

Steps:
1. Divide the class into groups.
2. Complete the table in the Activity Sheet below.

Activity Sheet:
Box P contains five cards labelled with the letters “R, U, A, N, G”.
(a) Case I: Two cards are chosen at random from box P one by one without replacement.
Write the probability of getting a consonant card on the first time and the second
time in the table below.
(b) Case II: Two cards are chosen at random from box P one by one with replacement. The
letter for the first card is recorded and it is returned to box P before the second
card is chosen. Write the probability of getting a consonant card on the first time
and the second time in the table below.

Probability of getting a consonant card

Case
First time Second time
9
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II

Discussion:
Why are the probabilities for the second time in case I and case II different? Discuss.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

From the activity in Mind Stimulation 2, it is found that:

In case I, the first consonant card chosen is not returned to box P. The short of this first
consonant card affected the probability of selecting the second consonant card.

Therefore,
The combined events of case I are dependent events.

In case II, the first consonant card chosen is returned to box P before the second card is
chosen. The return of the first card results in the probability of selecting the second consonant
card being the same as the probability of selecting the first consonant card. The probability
of selecting the second consonant card is not affected by the probability of selecting the first
consonant card.

Therefore,
The combined events of case II are independent events.

2
Identify whether
h the
h following combined events are dependent events or independent events.
Justify your answers.
(a) Obtain a tail twice when a fair coin is tossed twice.

(b) Obtain a tail in tossing a fair coin and obtained the number 4 in rolling
a fair dice.

(c) Obtain two pens of the same colour when two pens are taken out one
by one from a container that contains three red pens and two blue pens
without replacement.

(d) Obtain two cards with the same letters when two cards are chosen at
random from the cards labelled with the letters “B, A, I, K” one by one
with replacement.

Solution:
(a) Independent events because the probability of getting a tail in the first toss does not affect the
probability of getting a tail in the second toss.
9

(b) Independent events because the probability of getting a tail in tossing a fair coin does not affect
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the probability of getting the number 4 in rolling a fair dice.

(c) Dependent events because the probability of getting the first red pen affects the probability of
getting the second red pen.

(d) Independent events because the probability of choosing the first card does not affect the probability
of choosing the second card.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.2a
Determine whether the following events are dependent events or independent events.
1. The pointer of a lucky wheel stops at the same sector twice consecutively.
2. The selection of two boys from a group of ten girls and fourteen boys at random.
3. Answer three objective questions with four options correctly if the answer of each question is
chosen at random.
4. Box P contains two red cards and three black cards while box Q contains five red cards and
six green cards. A card is chosen at random from box P and then put into box Q. After that,
a card is chosen at random from box Q. Both cards chosen from box P and box Q are of the
same colour.
5. Vincent and Bajat sit for a History test in school. Vincent and Bajat pass the History test.

How do you make and verify conjecture about the formula of probability of
combined events?

Mind Stimulation 3
Aim: To make and verify conjecture about the formula of Learning
L
probability of combined events Standard
S
Steps: Make and verify
1. Divide the class into groups. conjecture about the
formula of probability of
2. Roll a fair dice and toss a fair coin at the same time. combined events.
3. Complete the table below by recording all the possible
outcomes.

Coin Indicator
Dice
Tail (T) Head (H)
• Probability of event A,
1
n(A)
2 P(A) =
n(S)
3 • 0 ⭐ P(A) ⭐ 1

4 • P(A) = 0 when event A will

definitely not occur.
5 • P(A) = 1 when event A will
9

definitely occur.
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6
4. Based on the table above,
(a) state the sample space for the above experiments.
(b) state the probability, by listing all the possible outcomes of the combined
events below.
(i) Obtain an even number in rolling a dice and a tail in tossing a coin.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

(ii) Obtain a prime number in rolling a dice and a head in tossing a coin.
(iii) Obtain a number less than 3 in rolling a dice and a tail in tossing a coin.
(c) Calculate the product of the probability of
(i) obtaining an even number in rolling a dice and a tail in tossing a coin.
(ii) obtaining a prime number in rolling a dice and a head in tossing a coin.
(iii) obtaining a number less than 3 in rolling a dice and a tail in tossing a coin.

Discussion:
Compare your answers in 4(b) and 4(c). What did you observe?

From the activity in Mind Stimulation 3, it is found that:

The probability of the intersection of two independent events A and B is equal to

the product of the probability of event A and the probability of event B.

In general,

Multiplication rule of probability is P(A and B) = P(A) ⫻ P(B)

3
Box F contains seven cards labelled with the letters “P, A, M, E, R, A, N” and box G contains five
cards labelled with the numbers “3, 5, 6, 8, 11”. A card is chosen at random from box F and box G
respectively. Verify the conjecture about the formula of probability to get the letter “P” and an even
number by listing all the possible outcomes.

Solution:
(a) Multiplication rule
P (getting a letter P ) =
1 Indicator
7
2 P (A 傽 B 傽 C)
P (getting an even number) = = P (A) × P(B) × P (C )
5
1 2
P (getting a letter “P” and an even number) = ×
7 5
2
=
35
List all the possible outcomes.
Possible outcomes = {(P, 6), (P, 8)}
9

n(S) = 7 × 5
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= 35
2
P (getting a letter “P” and an even number) =
35
Therefore, it is shown that both methods give the same answer.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.2b

1. Two fair dice are rolled.

(a) Complete the following table by listing all the possible outcomes.

Second dice
First dice
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4)
2 (2, 5) (2, 6)
3
4
5
6

(b) State n(S) in this experiment.

(c) Verify the conjecture about the formula of probability of getting an odd number in the first
dice and a prime number in the second dice by listing all the possible outcomes.

2. Kamal chooses two marbles randomly from a box which contains four red marbles, three yellow
marbles and one green marble. The first marble is returned to the box before the second marble
is chosen. Verify the conjecture about the formula of probability that two yellow marbles are
chosen by listing all the possible outcomes.

3. Box A contains a red card and two yellow cards. Box B contains three red cards and a yellow
card. Fauziah chooses a card from box A and box B respectively. Verify the conjecture about the
formula of probability that Fauziah gets two yellow cards by listing all the possible outcomes.

How do you determine the probability of combined Learning

L
events for dependent events and independent events? S
Standard
Determine the probability
4 of combined events
for dependent and
Box A and box B contain cards labelled with the numbers “3, 5, 7, 9”
9

independent events.
and the letters “X, Y, Z” respectively. A card is chosen randomly from
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box A and box B respectively.

3 5 7 9 X Y Z

Box A Box B

Calculate the probability of getting a factor of 9 and the letter Z .

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

Solution:
2
P(A factor of 9) = Alternative Method
4
1 Factors of 9 and the letter “Z ” = {(3, Z), (9, Z)}
P(The letter “Z ”) =
3
n(S) = 4 × 3 = 12

2
2 1 P(A factor of 9 and the letter “Z ”) =
P(A factor of 9 and the letter “Z ”) = × 12
4 3 1
1 =
= 6
6

5
A bag contains eight green marbles and a red marble. Two marbles
are chosen randomly one by one from the bag without replacement.
The colours of the marbles are recorded.
(a) Represent the above situation using a tree diagram.
(b) Calculate the probability that
(i) the second marble is red.
(ii) both are green marbles.

Solution:
(a) First marble Second marble Outcome
7 G (G, G) MY MEMORY
8
8
G A tree diagram displays
9 all the possible
1 outcomes of an event.
R (G, R)
8 Each branch in the tree
1 diagram represents
R G (R, G) a possible outcome.
9 8
8
8 1
(b) (i) P(The second marble is red) = ×
9 8
9

1
=
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9
8 7
(ii) P(Both are green marbles) = ×
9 8
7
=
9

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.2c

1. Box K and box L contain four cards labelled with the letters “B, A, Y, U” and three cards
labelled with the numbers “1, 2, 5” respectively. A card is chosen at random from box K and
box L respectively.

B A Y U 1 2 5

Box K Box L
By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability of getting a vowel and
an even number.

2. A fair dice with four faces is labelled with “1, 2, 3, 4”. The dice is rolled twice
and the numbers that the dice lands on are recorded. By listing all the possible
outcomes, calculate the probability of getting two odd numbers.

3. According to an investigation, the probability of rainfall on Mountain X in May is 0.45.

Calculate the probability that Mountain X will have two consecutive rainy days in May.

4. Box T contains five cards labelled with the letters “C, E, L, I, K”. Two cards are taken out
randomly one by one from box T without replacement.

C E L I K

Box T
Calculate the probability of getting the first card labelled with a consonant and the second card
labelled with a vowel.

5. A box contains twelve bulbs where two of the bulbs are burnt.
Two bulbs are selected at random from the box. By sketching a
tree diagram, calculate the probability of getting two burnt bulbs.

6. The following table shows the number of the Science and

Mathematics Society members in SMK Didik Jaya.
Number of members
Session
Female Male
146 124
9

Morning
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Afternoon 82 96
Two members are selected randomly.
(a) from the male members. Calculate the probability that both members chosen are from the
morning session. Give your answer correct to four significant figures.
(b) from the afternoon session. Calculate the probability that both members chosen are female.
Give your answer correct to four significant figures.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.3 Mutually Exclusive Events and Non-Mutually Exclusive Events

How do you differentiate between mutually exclusive Learning

L
and non-mutually exclusive events? S
Standard
Some table tennis balls labelled from 1 to 9 are put in an empty basket. Differentiate between
A pupil chooses a table tennis ball from the basket at random. mutually exclusive and
Let T is the event of getting an even number. non-mutually exclusive
U is the event of getting a perfect square. events.
V is the event of getting a factor of 9.
The relationship between the three events, T, U and V, can be illustrated using a Venn diagram.
Based on the Venn diagram on the right, it is observed ξ T V
that event T and event V cannot happen at the same U
time. Thus, event T and event V are said to be mutually •2
exclusive events. Event T and event U are non-mutually •1
•6 •4 •9 •3
exclusive events as the table tennis ball labelled
with 4 is the common outcome for both event T and •8
event U. Are event U and event V mutually exclusive •5 •7
events? Discuss.

Mind Stimulation 4
Aim: To differentiate mutually exclusive events and non-mutually exclusive events
Steps:
1. Divide the class into groups.
2. Complete the following Activity Sheet.
Activity Sheet:
A pupil is chosen at random from your class. The following are event A to event F.

Event A: Pupils who are wearing spectacles.

Event B: Members of Girl Guides.
Event C: Boys.
Event D: Pupils who obtained Grade A in Mathematics test.
Event E: Pupils who love Mathematics.
Event F: Pupils who obtained Grade D in Mathematics test.
Mark ✓ for the mutually exclusive events or non-mutually exclusive events for the following
9

combined events.
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Combined event Mutually exclusive events Non-mutually exclusive events

Events A and B
Events B and C
Events B and D
Events D and E
Events E and F
Events D and F

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

Discussion:
Are all the mutually exclusive events stated in the table? If they are not, please state
the events.

From the activity in Mind Stimulation 4, it is found that:

For each combined event above, whether it is a mutually exclusive event or non-mutually
exclusive event depends on the group of pupils in the respective classes. If there are only boys
wearing spectacles, then event A and event B are mutually exclusive. However, for classes that
have girls wearing spectacles, then event A and event B are non-mutually exclusive events.

In general,
A combined event A and B is known as a mutually exclusive event
if there is no intersection between events A and B, A 傽 B = ϕ.

6 INFO ZONE
A worker in a factory is chosen at random. Starting 2015, a person
Given with an annual income
of more than RM34 000
A = A worker with wages less than RM2 500.
(after the deduction of
B = A worker that needs to pay income tax. EPF) will need to register
C = A worker who goes to work by car. an income tax file.
Determine whether the following pairs of events are mutually exclusive Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri,
Updated: 16 March 2017
events or non-mutually exclusive events.
(a) A and B (b) A and C (c) B and C

Solution:
(a) Event A and event B cannot occur together. Therefore, event A and event B are mutually
exclusive.
(b) Event A and event C can occur together. Therefore, event A and event C are non-mutually
exclusive.
(c) Event B and event C can occur together. Therefore, event B and event C are non-mutually
exclusive.

9.3a
9

1. A fair dice is rolled. A list of events is given as follows.

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P is the event of getting a number that is greater than 4.

Q is the event of getting an even number.
R is the event of getting a perfect square.
Determine whether the following pairs of events are mutually exclusive events or non-mutually
exclusive events.
(a) P and Q (b) P and R (c) Q and R
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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

2. An egg is chosen at random from a farm.

K is the event of selecting a cracked egg.
L is the event of selecting a Grade A egg.
M is the event of selecting a Grade C egg.
Determine whether the following pairs of events are mutually
exclusive events or non-mutually exclusive events.
(a) K and L (b) K and M (c) L and M INFO ZONE
ASEAN countries:
3. A tourist is selected randomly at Kuala Lumpur International Malaysia, Brunei,
Airport. Singapore, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Vietnam,
R is the event of selecting a tourist from an European country. Myanmar, Philippines,
S is the event of selecting a tourist from an ASEAN country. Thailand, Laos.
Commonwealth
T is the event of selecting a tourist from a Commonwealth country.
countries: The countries
Determine whether the following pairs of events are mutually that had been colonised
exclusive events or non-mutually exclusive events. by the British.
(a) R and S (b) R and T (c) S and T
Learning
L
Standard
S
How do you verify the formula of probability Verify the formula of
of combined events for mutually exclusive probability of combined
events for mutually exclusive
and non-mutually exclusive events? and non-mutually exclusive
events.
Mind Stimulation 5

Aim: To verify the formula of probability of combined events for mutually exclusive and
non-mutually exclusive events.

Steps:
1. Divide the class into groups.
2. Study the following case.
Fahmi holds an open house in conjunction of the Aidilfitri celebration.
80 guests come to the open house.
2
of the guests who come are Fahmi’s colleagues.
5
There are 55 guests who come together with their family members. 18 of them are
9

Fahmi’s colleagues.
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1
of the guests who come are Fahmi’s childrens schoolmates.
10
All of Fahmi’s children’s schoolmates do not come with their family members.
A guest who comes to Fahmi’s open house is selected at random.
A is the event that a guest chosen comes with family members.
B is the event that a guest chosen is Fahmi’s colleague.
C is the event that a guest chosen is Fahmi’s children’s schoolmate.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

3. Complete the following Venn diagram to show the relationship between events A, B and C.
ξ A

4. Based on the Venn diagram drawn, complete the following table.

Probability
(a) P(A) = P(B) = P(A and B) = P(A or B) =
(b) P(A) = P(C) = P(A and C) = P(A or C) =
(c) P(B) = P(C) = P(B and C) = P(B or C) =

Discussion:
1. Why do P(A and B), P(A and C) and P(B and C) need to be determined before calculating
P(A or B), P(A or C) and P(B or C)?
2. Based on the answers in (a), (b) and (c) in the above table, form an equation to relate all
four probabilities for each (a), (b) and (c). Justify your answers.

From the activity in Mind Stimulation 5, it is found that:

1. P(A and B), P(A and C ) and P(B and C) are identified first so that we can determine whether
the combined events are mutually exclusive or non-mutually exclusive.
2. (a) The combined event A and B is non-mutually exclusive because P(A 傽 B) ≠ 0, then
P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B).
(b) The combined event A and C and combined event B and C are both mutually exclusive
because P(A 傽 C ) = 0 and P(B 傽 C ) = 0. Then, P(A or C ) = P(A) + P(C ) and
P(B or C) = P(B) + P(C).

In general, MY MEMORY
The addition rule of probability is
P(A and B) = P(A 傽 B)
P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B) or P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B) P(A or B) = P(A 傼 B)

Events A and B are Events A and B are

9
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non-mutually exclusive events mutually exclusive events

A B A B

P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B) P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B)

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

7
The Venn diagram on the right shows the relationship between the universal set, ξ , A, B and C.
ξ
A number is chosen at random from the universal set, ξ.
Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the A C
following combined events. •4 •3
(a) Obtaining an even number or a multiple of 5. •2 •7
(b) Obtaining an even number or a prime number. •6 B
•8 •5
Solution: •9 •1
n(A 傼 B)
(a) P(A 傼 B) =
n(S)
5 ξ
=
9 A C
4 1 •3
P(A) + P(B) = + •4
9 9
5 •2 •7
= •6 B
9
Hence, it is proven that P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B). •8 •5
•9 •1
n(A 傼 C)
(b) P(A 傼 C) = ξ
n(S)
7 A C
=
9 •4 •3
4 4 1
P(A) + P(C) – P(A 傽 C) = + – •2 •7
9 9 9 •6 B
7
= •8 •5
9 •1
•9
Hence, it is proven that
P(A 傼 C) = P(A) + P(C) – P(A 傽 C).

8
Eight cards labelled with the numbers “4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11” are put in a box. A card is chosen
at random from the box.
A is the event of getting a number greater than 8.
9

B is the event of getting a prime number.

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C is the event of getting an even number.

Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the following combined events by listing all the
possible outcomes.
(a) P(A or B) (b) P(A or C) (c) P(B or C)

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

Solution:
(a) A 傽 B = {11} A = {9, 10, 11}, B = {5, 7, 11}
3 3 1 A 傼 B = {5, 7, 9, 10, 11}
P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B) = + –
8 8 8 5
P(A 傼 B) =
5 8
=
8
Hence, it is proven that P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B) = P(A 傼 B).

(b) A 傽 C = {10} A = {9, 10, 11}, C = {4, 6, 8, 10}

3 4 1 A 傼 C = {4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11}
P(A) + P(C) – P(A 傽 C) = + –
8 8 8 6
6 P(A 傼 C) =
= 8
8 3
3 =
= 4
4
Hence, it is proven that P(A) + P(C) – P(A 傽 C) = P(A 傼 C).

(c) B 傽 C = { } B = {5, 7, 11}, C = {4, 6, 8, 10}

3 4 B 傼 C = {4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11}
P(B) + P(C) = +
8 8 7
P(B 傼 C) =
7 8
=
8
Hence, it is proven that P(B) + P(C) = P(B 傼 C).

9.3b
1. Two fair dice are rolled simultaneously.
Q is the event that the total point obtained from the two dice is greater than 9.
R is the event that the product of the points obtained from the two dice is
a multiple of 5.
S is the event that two equal points on the two dice are obtained.
Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the following combined events by listing
all the possible outcomes.
(a) P(Q or R) (b) P(Q or S) (c) P(R or S)
9

2. Two fair coins are tossed simultaneously.

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J is the event of getting two tails.

K is the event of getting two heads.
L is the event of getting at least one tail.
Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the following combined events by listing
all the possible outcomes.
(a) P(J or K) (b) P(J or L) (c) P(K or L)

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

3. Seven cards labelled with the letters “B, A, H, A, G, I, A” are put

INTERACTIVE ZONE
in a box. A card is chosen at random.
L is the event of getting a vowel. Is P(A 傼 B 傼 C)
M is the event of getting a consonant. = P(A) + P(B) + P(C) –
N is the event of getting a letter “B”. P(A 傽 B) – P(A 傽 C) –
P(B 傽 C) + P(A 傽 B 傽 C)?
(a) Draw a Venn diagram to represent the relationship between Discuss by using a Venn
the events L, M and N. diagram.
(b) Verify the addition rule of probability for each of the
following combined events by listing all the possible outcomes.
(i) P(L or M) (ii) P(L or N) (iii) P(M or N)

How do you determine the probability of combined events for mutually exclusive
and non-mutually exclusive events?
9 Learning
L
Standard
S
Five cards labelled with the letters “C, I, N, T, A” are put in a box.
Determine the probability
A card is chosen at random. Calculate the probability that the card
of combined events for
chosen is labelled with a consonant or letter “A”. mutually exclusive and
non-mutually exclusive
Solution: events.
A card labelled with a consonant = {C, N, T}
A card labelled with letter “A” = {A}
3 1 TIPS
P(A card labelled with a consonant or letter “A”) = +
5 5 For two mutually exclusive
4 events,
=
5 P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B)

10
In a banquet, the probabilities that Zalifah and Maran eat cendol are Malaysiaku
5 3
and respectively.
7 5
(a) Represent the probability that Zalifah and Maran eat cendol at
the banquet using a Venn diagram.
(b) Calculate the probability that Zalifah or Maran eats cendol at
the banquet.
Cendol is a very popular
Solution: dessert in Malaysia.
9

(a) P(Both Zalifah and Maran eat cendol at the banquet) The ingredients contain
green droplets made of
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5 3
= × rice flour and pandan
7 5 juice, and mixed together
3 with ice, coconut milk
=
7 and brown sugar.
5 3
P(Only Zalifah eats cendol at the banquet) = –
7 7
2
=
7
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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

P(Only Maran eats cendol at the banquet) ξ Z M

3 3
= –
5 7
6 2 3 6
= —
35 7 7 35

—4
35
(b) P(Zalifah or Maran eats cendol at the banquet)
= P(Z) + P(M) – P(Z 傽 M)
5 3 3 2 3 6
= + – 1– – –
7 5 7 7 7 35
31 4
= =
35 35

Alternative Method
2 3 6
P(Zalifah or Maran eats cendol at the banquet) = + +
7 7 35
31
=
35

11
2
The probability that a smartphone manufactured by Jaya Factory has a display problem is .
13
Two smartphones are chosen at random. Draw a tree diagram to show all the possible outcomes.
Hence, calculate the probability that at least one smartphone chosen has a display problem.

Solution:
Smartphone 1 Smartphone 2 Outcome
M = Has a display problem
—2 M' = No display problem
13 M (M, M)

—2 M
13 11
— M' (M, M')
13 INTERACTIVE ZONE

—2
13 M (M', M) Beside the given solution,
11
— what other methods can be
13 M' used to solve Example 11?
11
—
Discuss.
M' (M', M')
9

13
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P(At least one smartphone has a display problem)

= P(M, M) + P(M, M') + P(M', M)

= (132 × 132 ) + (132 × 1311) + (1311 × 132 )

48
=
169

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.3c
1. Seven cards labelled with the letters “G, E, M, B, I, R, A” are put in a box. A card is chosen
at random from the box.

G E M B I R A

By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability that the card chosen is labelled
with a vowel or letter “R”.

2. Two boxes labelled as K and L contain four cards labelled with the letters “S, E, R, I” and
three cards labelled with the numbers “4, 5, 6” respectively. A card is chosen at random from
each box.

S E R I 4 5 6

Box K Box L
By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability of getting a letter “S” from
box K or a multiple of 3 from box L.

3. The probability of appointing Jessie as the chairman of the Finance Club (J) and the head of the
sports house (K) are 3 and 2 respectively.
8 9
(a) Complete the Venn diagram on the right to represent the ξ
relationship between the probabilities of appointing Jessie as J K
the chairman of the Finance Club and the head of the sports
house.
(b) Calculate the probability of not appointing Jessie as the
chairman of the Finance Club or the head of the sports house.

4. The Geography Club of SMK Cerdik organises a study group tour to Kota Kinabalu. The
4 9
probability of Mandy and Geetha joining this tour are and respectively. Complete
7 14
the following tree diagram. Hence, calculate the probability of either Mandy or Geetha joining
this tour.
Mandy Geetha Outcome
9

G ( , )
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M
G' ( , )

G ( , )
M'
G' ( , )

261
 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.4 Application of Probability of Combined Events

How do you solve problems involving probability of Learning

L
combined events? S
Standard
Solve problems involving
12 probability of combined
events.
A fair dice is rolled twice consecutively. If this experiment is carried
out 540 times, how many times will at least one perfect square
be obtained?
Solution:

Understanding the problem Planning a strategy

• Independent combined events • Draw a tree diagram.
• Perfect squares = 1, 4 2 1
• P(perfect squares) = =
• At least one perfect square 6 3
= (K, K), (K, K') or (K', K) • Calculate P[(K, K) ∪ (K, K') ∪ (K', K)]
• P[(K, K) ∪ (K, K' ) ∪ (K', K)] × 540 times

Implementing the strategy

K = Event of getting a perfect square

K' = Event of not getting a perfect square
First Roll Second Roll Outcome P[(K, K) ∪ (K, K' ) ∪ (K', K)]
1 (K, K)
K
1 K
3 = (13 × 13) + (13 × 23) + (23 × 13)
3 2 5
K' (K, K') =
3 9
1
3
K (K', K) n(at least one perfect square)
2
3 K' 5
= × 540
2 9
3 K' (K', K')
= 300 times
9
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Checking Answer
n(at least one perfect square)
2 2
Conclusion (
= 1– ×
3 3 ) × 540
There are 300 times to obtain at least one perfect square. = 300

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

13
A box contains seven red marbles, five yellow marbles and three blue marbles. Two marbles are
chosen randomly one by one from the box. If the first marble is blue, the blue marble is then
returned to the box before a second marble is chosen. If the first marble is not blue, the marble is
not returned to the box and then a second marble is chosen. Calculate the probability of getting two
marbles of different colours.

Solution:

Understanding the problem Planning a strategy

• Dependent combined events
• Total number of marbles = 15
• Two marbles of different colours
= {(R, Y), (R, B), (Y, R), (Y, B), (B, R),
(B, Y)}
• Draw a tree diagram.
• Calculate P[(R, Y) 傼 (R, B) 傼
(Y, R) 傼 (Y, B) 傼 (B, R) 傼 (B, Y)]

Implementing the strategy

First Marble Second Marble Outcome
6
— R (R, R)
14 5 P(Marbles of different colours)
—
14 = P(R, Y) + P(R, B) + P(Y, R) +
R Y (R, Y)
7 P(Y, B) + P(B, R) + P(B, Y)
— —3
15 14 B (R, B) = ( 7
×
15 14
5
) (
+
7
×
15 14
3
+ ) (
5
×
15 14
7
+ )
—5
15
—7
14 4
—
14
R (Y, R )
( 5
×
15 14
3
) (
+
3
×
15 15
7
+ ) (
3
×
15 15
5
)
Y Y (Y, Y) 349
=
525
—3
14 B (Y, B)

—3
15 —7 R (B, R)
15 5
—
15
B Y (B, Y)
—3
15 B (B, B)
9

Checking Answer
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Conclusion Complement method:

P(two marbles of different colours)
The probability of getting two marbles of = 1 – [P(R, R) + P(Y, Y) + P(B, B)]
349
different colours is
525
. =1– [( 7
×
15 14
6
) (
+
5
×
15 14
4
) (
+
3
×
15 15
3
)]
349
=
525

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

9.4a
1. A study is carried out on the gender of the children from 16 000 families with two children.
Estimate the number of families with at least one son in that study.

2. A box contains three yellow pens, five red pens and a black pen. Two pens are chosen at random
from the box. Calculate the probability that both pens chosen are of the same colour.

3. Jonathan enjoys watching the sunset on the beach. Jonathan has two options for either going to
Pantai Jati or Pantai Cengal for two days.
19
The probability that it will rain every evening at Pantai Jati is .
25
The probability that it will rain at Pantai Cengal depends on the previous day. If it does not
rain on the previous day, the probability that it will rain in the evening is 5 . If it rains on the
7
previous day, the probability it will rain in the evening is 2 .
5
If the weather is good on both beaches on the previous day Jonathan departed, which beach
should Jonathan choose so that he can enjoy watching the sunset on the beach for both evenings?
Justify your answers.

4. Each customer of Naga Shop who spends more than RM200 will be given a chance to spin
a lucky wheel that has six similar sectors. Two of the sectors are red and the rest are yellow.

Number of cash vouchers

Box
RM50 RM10

A 20 5

B 10 20

If the pointer of the lucky wheel stops in the red sector, the customer has a chance to choose
a cash voucher from box A. If the pointer of the lucky wheel stops in the yellow sector, the
customer has a chance to choose a cash voucher from box B. The number of cash vouchers in
box A and box B are shown in the table above.
It is estimated that 450 customers of Naga Shop will spend more than RM200. Calculate the
9

number of RM10 vouchers the Naga Shop needs to prepare.

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(The selected cash vouchers will be replaced with new vouchers by the shop so that the number
of cash vouchers in both boxes remains the same.)

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

1. There are three blue coloured pencils and two green coloured pencils in a box. Two colour
pencils are randomly selected one by one from the box without replacement. Write the sample
space for the selected colour pencils.

2. A number is chosen at random from set S = {x : x is an integer, 1  x  30}. Calculate the

probability of
(a) getting a multiple of 3 and a multiple of 12.
(b) getting a factor of 20 or a factor of 8.

3. Two cards labelled with the numbers “77, 91” are put in box M and three cards labelled with
the letters “R, I, A” are put in box N. A card is chosen at random from box M and box N
respectively.
(a) Complete the following table with all the possible outcomes.

Box N
Box M
R I A

77 (77, R)

91 (91, I)

(b) By listing all the possible outcomes, calculate the probability that
(i) a number card with the sum of its digits is greater than 10 and a consonant card
are chosen.
(ii) a number card with the sum of its digits is greater than 10 or a consonant card
are chosen.

4. Two prefects are chosen at random from five prefects, where three of them are in Form Four and
two are in Form Five. Draw a tree diagram to show all the possible outcomes. Then, calculate
the probability that both prefects chosen are in the same form.

5. The probability of Kam Seng passing his Physics and Chemistry tests are 0.58 and 0.42
respectively. Calculate the probability that
(a) Kam Seng passes both tests.
9

(b) Kam Seng passes only one test.

CHAPTER

6. Fatimah sends her resume for job application to three companies. The probabilities of Fatimah
3 4 5
getting a job offer from companies X, Y and Z are , and respectively. Calculate the
5 9 12
probability of Fatimah getting a job offer from
(a) any two companies.
(b) at least one company.
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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

1
7. It is given that event A and event B are two mutually exclusive events and P(A) = .
3
(a) State the maximum value of P(B).
7
(b) If P(A B) = , identify P(B).
9

8. Box R contains five red marbles and seven green marbles while box T contains four red marbles
and eight green marbles. A marble is randomly selected from box R. If the marble is red, that
marble will be put into box T. If the marble is green, that marble will be returned to box R.
Then, a marble will be randomly selected from box T. The colours of the selected marbles will
be recorded.
(a) Calculate the probability of
(i) selecting two red marbles.
(ii) selecting two marbles of different colours.
(b) Class 4 Amanah has 36 pupils. Each pupil is given an opportunity to select two marbles
with the conditions stated above and a pupil who successfully selected two green marbles
will be given a gift worth RM5. Estimate the cost of gifts needed.

9. Jacky has eight shirts and three of them are blue shirts. 40% of the shirts that Halim has are

blue. 1 of the shirts that Kumar has are blue. Jacky, Halim and Kumar each chooses a shirt
5
at random to attend a meeting. Calculate the probability that two of them wear blue shirts.

10. The following bar chart shows the number of badminton clubs and bodybuilding clubs in
Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Federal Territory of Labuan and Federal Territory of Putrajaya.

Number of clubs
Keys:

20 Badminton

15 Bodybuilding
14
10
11
5 5
6 3
2 2 2
0 State
9

Kedah Negeri Sembilan F.T. Labuan F.T. Putrajaya

CHAPTER

A badminton club and a bodybuilding club in the four states are selected at random. Calculate
the probability that
(a) both clubs selected are from Kedah.
(b) a club is selected each from the Federal Territories and Negeri Sembilan respectively.

266
 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

11. The probability that Khaizan is involved in an accident in each round of a motorcycle race
is 0.4. Khaizan has to quit the race if he is involved in an accident. The probability of Khaizan
winning each round of the motorcycle race is 0.96 provided that he is not involved in any
accident. Khaizan needs to complete three laps of the race track.
(a) Calculate the probability, correct to three decimal places, that
(i) Khaizan is the champion of the race.
(ii) Khaizan is unable to finish the race.
(b) Based on the answer in (a), is it advisable for Khaizan to encourage his younger brother
to participate in a motorcycle race? State a moral value that you have learned to support
your answer.

P R O J E C T

10 cm 10 cm 10 cm

1. Construct three regular polygons as above. The polygons constructed have sides
with equal lengths.
2. Carry out the activity stated below.

A dart is thrown towards each of the above regular polygons. The experiment is
carried out twenty times and the results of the dart that lands on the yellow and
blue regions are recorded as (Y, Y, Y), (Y, B, Y).

3. Based on the recorded results, what is your conclusion? Elaborate the reasons to
support your conclusion.
4. Further exploration: If you are the owner of a game booth on your school’s
9

Entrepreneurship Day, which of the regular polygons will you choose? State the
CHAPTER

reasons to support your choice.

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

CONCEPT MAP

Probability of Combined Events

Dependent Events and Addition Rule of

Independent Events Probability

Applications of Probability
A and B are A and B are of Combined Events
Dependent Events Independent Events
• Event A affects • Event A does
the occurrence not affect the
of event B. occurrence of A and B are Mutually Exclusive
event B. Events if A 傽 B = ϕ,
P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B)
Example: Example:
Choose two cards A fair dice is Example: X = {x : 1  x  10, x ∈ W}
from a box that rolled twice and A number is chosen at random from
contains cards “6” is obtained for set X.
labelled with the two times. Probability of choosing the number 2
letters “B, A, I, K” or an odd number
without replacement. = P(Number 2 or an odd number)
1 5
= +
10 10
Multiplication Rule of Probability
3
P(A 傽 B) = P(A) × P(B) =
5
Example:
A fair dice is rolled twice and “6” is A and B are Non-Mutually Exclusive
obtained for two times. Events if A 傼 B ≠ ϕ,
1 1 P(A 傼 B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A 傽 B)
P(Two times of “6”) = ×
6 6
1 Example: X = {x : 1  x  10, x ∈ W}
=
36 A number is chosen at random from
set X.
Probability of choosing a prime
9

number or an odd number

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= P(A prime number or an odd

number)
4 5 3
= + –
10 10 10
3
=
5

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 Chapter 9 Probability of Combined Events

Self Reflection

5. 2. 6.

4.

1.

3.

Across Down
1. A and B are two events if the 4. A number is chosen from {x : x is an
occurrence of event A does not affect integer and 0  x  50}.
the occurrence of event B and vice K is the event of getting an
versa. number and K is the event of getting
2. A is rolled and a coin is an odd number.
tossed. The number of the outcomes P(K 傼 L) = P(K) + P(L)
is 12. 5. P(A and B) = P(A) P(B)
3. A and B are mutually events 6. A event is an outcome of
meaning there is no intersection the union or intersection of two or
between events A and B. more events.

Bottle flipping is a game which involves throwing

CHAPTER

a plastic water bottle, either filled or partially filled

with water so that the bottle rotates and then stands
upright again.

Try to explore the factors that influence the likelihood

of a successful bottle flipping.

269